By Mikayla van Loon
Timed parking restrictions in Lilydale have led to the “concern and anger” of traders, community members and the town’s action group after hefty fines were imposed with what they’ve said was no warning or notice.
The limits of 15 minute, one, two and three hour parking spaces have been in place for “many years” according to Yarra Ranges Council but the use of electronic monitoring, via cameras on cars, introduced in January 2024 has triggered frustration with fines turning up weeks later.
This has been particularly prevalent for staff at Lilydale hair salon Linea of the Yarra Valley which doesn’t have a designated car park.
“We have no parking, there’s 11 of us who work here, and none of us have anywhere to park, including the owner, so she’s had quite a few fines as well, which obviously we’re not super impressed by, because we’re only coming to work,” Linea manager Shelbie White said.
“So we were parking out the front and then of course, they started coming around with a camera in the car, and we didn’t know. I got (a fine) every day for like three or four days in a row.”
Each fine was in the realm of $100 but Shelbie said she did pay them all and followed up with Yarra Ranges Council afterwards to attempt to find a solution for herself and her staff.
“I rang them, and I just said, ‘it’s not really good enough, we’re a small, local business, we should have somewhere to park. Is there something that we can do? Where do you suggest that we park?’ And she said, ‘Well, everywhere has got a limit’.”
Shelbie said she requested a handful of parking permits that she could keep in the hair salon for the staff to use interchangeably, given not all 11 are rostered to the same shifts but she was told that wasn’t an option.
A council spokesperson confirmed permits would not be utilised as part of the parking plan, instead increasing some restrictions to cater to the needs of businesses.
“Trader/ business permits will not be made available within the Lilydale township. Instead, the Lilydale Parking Precinct Plan focuses on providing equitable and balanced parking solutions for all users within the activity centre,” they said.
“The plan includes recommendations to modify existing restrictions, increasing the availability of medium-term and longer-term parking spaces to cater to the needs of traders, employees, and visitors. By offering a wider variety of parking options, the plan aims to address the demand for more flexible parking while supporting the viability of local businesses.”
Currently there’s around 20 parking spaces that are untimed but Shelbie said with many businesses requiring this kind of parking, it’s a first in best dressed scenario.
While the problem is impacting staff, Shelbie said there has been some feedback from clients who are “not booking their appointments because there’s no parking”.
“If you’re coming in for colour, or if you’re getting a whole head of foils, you’re here for four or five hours and they can’t run out because of the chemicals. If a wind comes, the bleach can come out of the foil. So we do suggest not to. We do offer to move their cars.
“We get people that don’t come at all anymore because they just have nowhere to go. We’re getting feedback saying, ‘I got a fine at my last appointment’, and we’re like, ‘we don’t have a solution’.”
In a financially challenging time, seeing people cut back on the non-essentials like hairdressing, Shelbie said the parking has been an added struggle in keeping clientele.
“We’re trying to come up with solutions as to how to grow the business and how to try and pick it back up, because obviously, financially, everyone at the moment, is a bit tight,” she said.
“With that added on top, I mean it’s not a massive problem. I’m not saying that it’s 90 per cent but it’s enough.”
In a letter to councillor Tim Heenan and newly elected ward councillor Mitch Mazzarella the Lilydale Township Action Group (LTAG) called the new camera system “sneaky and underhanded”.
“We believe the current approach was implemented by council without adequate consultation, if any, or any consideration of changes in our community or local needs,” the letter reads.
“The sudden and unexplained introduction of a new parking compliance system has resulted in a substantial number of parking fines for residents, businesses and visitors.”
The council spokesperson said, however, that physical infringement notices continue to be used alongside the licence plate recognition and that this was communicated at the time of the change in system.
“Communications were sent out about increased enforcement when the program launched via media releases and in e-newsletters to businesses and the broader community.”
In November 2024, the council sought feedback from the community about the town’s parking restrictions with a vision to increase the three and four hour spaces under the Lilydale Parking Precinct Plan.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said at the time that the council and community members had identified areas where parking could be improved.
“This consultation will help us better align parking to the changing needs of the community – losing restricted parking in some areas and changing the hours of restriction in others,” he said.
“This will enable better turnover in high-traffic areas, ensuring that there are places for customers to park and places where business operators can park too.”
The council stated that during the consultation in November and December 780 businesses within the main activity centre were sent letters and 2223 Shaping Yarra Ranges subscribers were also notified.
It was this that triggered an outcry from LTAG and a petition calling for a rescission of fines and parking enforcement to be placed on hold, suggesting there was no prior consultation or discussion when the initial timed parking restrictions came into effect.
“The implementation and management system of the enforcement has been done without consultation or review. It needs to be done over again with consultation and review before any implementation,” an LTAG social media post read on 10 December.
After submitting an objection to the council, the traffic team acknowledged “enforcement efforts have increased since early this year (2024) to ensure fair use of parking spaces for everyone”.
“We recognise that past inconsistencies in enforcement have led to some people not adhering to the restrictions and we are committed to striking a balance moving forward,” a response said.
Parking was a key discussion for the council throughout 2024 with new initiatives and policies being drawn up.
In May 2024, Yarra Ranges Council launched a paid parking pilot in Warburton, with increased parking enforcement already in tourist areas including number plate recognition technology, physically chalking vehicles and new signage all being implemented.
The 12-month long paid parking pilot was then going to be reviewed and potentially rolled out across the Yarra Ranges in other hotspots to balance tourism with local need.
In August, a shire-wide Draft Parking Management Framework was approved for community feedback.
“The aim of the policy is to be consistent, to be equitable, logical for visitors, businesses and residents, to give people a fair go, to maximise utilisation of those spaces and provide efficient access to utilities and businesses,” then councillor Andrew Fullagar said.
In a meeting with LTAG on Thursday 16 January, members of the group told Star Mail it felt like there had been no consideration of the business type when choosing the restriction.
“I had breakfast down where Bean Seen is and the parking around there is one hour. People are saying, ‘well, we’re not coming here for lunch anymore in that area’. So those people
are now losing customers because there’s nowhere to park,” Helen Darvell said.
LTAG secretary Sharyn Manning said “we’ve worked really hard to try and bring people here” as a stop before heading to the Yarra Valley, not just a drive by.
“LTAG has been working very hard to bring more people to Lilydale and in particular to have them stop and spend time and money in our town,” the letter reiterated.
“We actively encourage tourism by organising events and projects and giving thousands of volunteer hours to encourage visitors and residents to come to our town.
“The enforcement of parking restrictions just turns people away rather than face the risk of being fined.”
Since the November consultation period, proposed changes to the parking in Lilydale include 33 spaces in the Main Street Service Road west of the station be increased from two hours to four hours, Clarke Street to be increased from one hour to two hours and the Main Street Service Road (Bunnings) to increase from one hour to three hours among other changes.
However, there were no adjustments considered for the shops between Castella Street and Clarke Street, where Linea of the Yarra Valley is located.
“The feedback received, including input from traders and LTAG, has been incorporated into the plan. The final restrictions are expected to be implemented within the first quarter of 2025,” the spokesperson said.
“Council will continue to monitor the impacts of the implemented changes to ensure they meet the intended objectives and address any emerging concerns.”
